Here, you are urged and encouraged to run your mouths about something important.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Democrats Lose Recall Efforts in Wisconsin

There were six Republican state senators in Wisconsin up for a recall election yesterday, August 9th. The Democrats needed to win three of those elections in order to gain control of the state senate; they won two. The effort was an attempt to stop Governor Rick Walker's push to end the collective bargaining rights of public sector unions. These were the most expensive elections in state history and much of the money came from outside interest groups. In short, Governor Walker and the state of Wisconsin beat back an attempt by strong, national pro-union forces, backed by the Obama administration.

After tens of millions of dollars spent by outside interest groups, dozens of attack ads and exhaustive get-out-the-vote efforts, Democrats on Tuesday fell short of their goal of taking control of the state Senate and stopping the agenda of Gov. Scott Walker.

Republicans won four of six recall races, meaning the party still holds a narrow 17-16 majority in the Senate — at least until next week, when Sens. Robert Wirch, D-Pleasant Prairie, and Jim Holperin, D-Conover face their own recall elections. A third Democrat, Sen. Dave Hansen, D-Green Bay, easily survived a recall attempt last month.